A.—No. 16,

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING

8

No. 7. Mr. W. G. Mair, R.M., to the Under-Secretary, Native Department. Sir— Opotiki, May 27, 1870. I have the honor to report upon the late visit of the Hon. the Native and Defence Minister to the Bay of Plenty District. Mr. M'Lean arrived at Tauranga on Sunday, the 22nd instant; on the 23rd, letters arrived from Captains Mair and Preece reporting the submission of Hapurona Kohi and Hamiora with the people of Ahikereru, and that they were there on their way to the coast. After seeing the Ngaiterangi and arranging various matters in connection with the roads and telegraph, Mr. M'Lean and party went on board the Luna, and early on the 24th landed at Maketu to see the Arawa, most of whom however were absent on service in the field or road making. In passing Matata, a messenger was landed with instructions to Captain Mair, at Te Teko, to bring Hapurona and his people to Whakatane, at which place Mr. M'Lean landed at 3 p.m. Ngatiawa at once assembled at Te Whare o Toroa, the position near Whakatane Heads which they have lately occupied at the request of the Government, and several important questions were discussed. Erom the notes attached, of the speeches, it will be seen that the feeling is general that the truce between Major Kemp and Tamaikoura, should be held binding, and that a promise of forgiveness to all who are not guilty of great crimes, would induce the Urewera to give in their submission. Mr. M'Lean informed them that it was his earnest wish to bring about a state of peace and quietude throughout the Colony, and that a very great difference would be made between those who submitted voluntarily and those taken prisoners ; that the former would be assisted by the Government; for instance, the Ahikereru people would be settled at Te Putere, under the eyes of the surrounding loyal chiefs Tukehu, Arama Karaka, Kepa, Apanui, Wepiha, and Hori Kawakura; but those taken in arms would have to be dealt with in another manner. Upon being informed of the destitution of the Whakatane people, in consequence of their late troubles and the disastrous floods of January last, Mr. M'Lean promised them some potatoes and flour, and also informed Apanui that he and his people should have the land which they have recently occupied.1 On the 25th instant, the Luna proceeded to Opotiki, for the first time, and to the general surprise of the people, crossed the bar and entered the river with perfect ease. Here a number of the Whakatohea, with Wi Kingi Te Hata, and other chiefs from the coast to the eastward, who had just returned from an expedition up the Waioeka under Lieut.-Colonel St. John, were waiting to see Mr. M'Lean, and several interviews took place. A very great amount of good has been done by Mr. M'Lean's visit. The policy of meeting Natives face to face and discussing important questions without reserve, finds great favor with them ; at Whakatane in particular, where they have never till now been visited by a member of the Government, the feeling of satisfaction is unbounded; and throughout the district the people are prepared most cordially to assist the Government in the work of pacificating the country. With regard to Te Kooti, nothing certain is known as to his present whereabouts, but in all probability he is either at the sources of the Waioeka or at Waikare ; the late expedition may have driven him away from the former place, and rendered his capture or destruction less certain than if he had been permitted to remain in fancied security until finer weather permitted that country to be thoroughly examined. There are very few of the Whakatohea now in the bush, the only men of consequence being Hera Te Popo, Paora Te Ua ote Rangi, and Te Iki; I have caused letters to be written to the two former which I have reason to hope will induce them to submit. By permission of Mr. M'Lean, Heria Rakuraku and Apanui's wife (Maraea) have gone in to Ruatahuna. Tamaikowha's son has also been released, and Ido not doubt but that in a short time favorable replies will be received from the Urewera. I have, &c., The Under-Secretary Native Department, W. G. Mair, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. [translation.] Notes of Speeches at a Meeting of Ngatiawa Tribe, at Whakatane, May 24th and 25th, 1870. May 24th. Hoani TuMmata: Welcome Mr. M'Lean, the father of the people, welcome to us whom you have never before visited. Wepiha Apanui : Welcome Mr. M'Lean. Carry on the good work, draw away all the supports from the great evil. It has been done at Waioeka, it is being done at Rangitaiki: open Whakatane, and then Te Kooti must fall. Hold out your hand to all who are willing to come to you, and Te Kooti will stand alone. I did not approve of what Marsh and the Colonel did at Ohiwa; it was treachery. Hori Eawahura: Welcome. We have been neglected by other heads of the Government; you are the first who has come to see us. Welcome to your old friend Apanui and his children. Listen : I would not respond to Colonel St. John's invitations to join him in his last expedition, because I had not got your word to go ; I did not approve of his work at Ohiwa. Send us back our " Matua," Mr Mair ; respect the peacemaking of Kemp with Tamaikowha, and the Urewera will come out from their mountains. I was living on another man's land at Kopeopeo, and have come here (Whakatane Heads) by your orders ;if harm befall me it will not be my fault. Enough.